1989 Australian Drivers' Championship


The 1989 Australian Drivers' Championship was an Australian motor racing competition open to racing cars complying with CAMS Formula Holden regulations. The championship winner was awarded the 1989 CAMS Gold Star as the Australian Drivers' Champion. It was the 33rd running of the Australian Drivers' Championship and the first to feature the Formula Holden class which had been developed during 1988, originally named Formula Australia.
The championship began on 7 May 1989 at Mallala Motor Sport Park and ended on 10 September at Sandown Raceway after ten rounds. Defending champion Rohan Onslow of Sydney won his second consecutive Australian Drivers' Championship driving a Ralt RT20. Mark McLaughlin, the winner of the inaugural Formula Holden race at Mallala, placed second in his Elfin FA891. Channel 7 television commentator and then sometime touring car driver Neil Crompton finished third in his debut year in open wheel racing driving an ex-Satoru Nakajima Ralt RT20.

Teams and drivers

The following teams and drivers competed in the 1989 Australian Drivers' Championship.
TeamCarNoDriver
R.J.Macarthur OnslowRalt RT201

Race calendar

The 1989 Australian Drivers' Championship was contested over ten rounds at five race meetings.
Rd.CircuitLocation / stateDateWinnerTeam
1Mallala Motor Sport ParkMallala, South Australia7 MayMark McLaughlinElfin Sports Cars
2Mallala Motor Sport ParkMallala, South Australia7 MayRohan OnslowR.J.Macarthur Onslow
3Winton Motor RacewayBenalla, Victoria4 JuneRohan OnslowR.J.Macarthur Onslow
4Winton Motor RacewayBenalla, Victoria4 JuneJohn BriggsJohn Briggs
5Oran Park RacewaySydney, New South Wales9 JulyRohan OnslowR.J.Macarthur Onslow
6Oran Park RacewaySydney, New South Wales9 JulyRohan OnslowR.J.Macarthur Onslow
7Amaroo ParkSydney, New South Wales6 AugustNeil CromptonBoylan Racing
8Amaroo ParkSydney, New South Wales6 AugustSimon KaneClive Kane Photography
9Sandown International RacewayMelbourne, Victoria10 SeptemberSam AstutiCascone Corporation
10Sandown International RacewayMelbourne, Victoria10 SeptemberNeil CromptonBoylan Racing

Points system

Championship points were awarded 9–6–4–3–2–1 based on the top six race positions at each round.